Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

PSALMS 35:27KJV
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Psalms 35:27 (KJV)

What does Psalms 35:27 mean?

Psalms 35:27 calls for those who support the psalmist’s just cause to celebrate and continually praise the LORD, recognizing that God delights in the well-being of his servant. The verse encourages ongoing joy and public acknowledgment of God’s goodness toward those who seek what is right.

In this verse, David is speaking, asking that those who stand with him—those who favor his "righteous cause"—would be joyful and glad. The setting is one of conflict, where David is seeking vindication from his enemies. David wants his supporters to keep declaring that the LORD should be “magnified,” or honored, because God takes pleasure in seeing his servant prosper and experience peace.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 35:27

  • "joy" (שָׁמַח, śāmaḥ): This word means to rejoice or be joyful. Here, it highlights the call for emotional, outward celebration among those who support David.
  • "prosperity" (שָׁלוֹם, shālôm): This word is often translated as “peace” or “well-being,” not just material success. It suggests a sense of wholeness or completeness in life, which God desires for his servant.
  • "magnified" (גָּדַל, gādal): This word means to make great or exalt. The verse asks that people continually speak of the LORD’s greatness, especially in how he cares for his faithful ones.

Why Psalms 35:27 matters

  • The verse clarifies that God is not indifferent to the well-being of his people; he actually delights in their peace and wholeness, not just their survival.
  • It shows that public praise and ongoing acknowledgment of God’s character are important, especially in times of conflict or struggle.
  • The verse connects personal deliverance with community celebration, suggesting that when God helps one of his servants, it is a reason for all who support what is right to rejoice and give thanks.

Where else these words appear

“favour” Hebrew H2655 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:33 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.
  • Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
  • Psalms 40:14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

“joy” Hebrew H7442 · used in 52 verses

  • Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
  • Psalms 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
  • Isaiah 24:14 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.

“continually” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • Deuteronomy 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
  • Psalms 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

“cause” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 58:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.